Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-06-23
STRANGELY SAVED.

Complete Failure Of Two Attempts Co
| Hang nm Innocent Man.
| Lee. man servant employed in the
house Of q widow Of advanced age in
some place in Devonshire, was
charged with the murder Of the old
lady. They lived in retired place.
Lee was tbs only man servant in the
house. The object q the murder was
robbery. The old lady's throat was
cut from ear to ear in the night with
out awakening anyone or creating any
disturbances. Zee was the only person
in the house upon whom suspicion
rested. It was shown By the prosecu-
ton that he, was the only one who
could have committed the murder.
There was q female servant in the
house. but she, was old and slept in :
remote quarter from her mistress
bedroom. Lee declared his Innocence
stoutly from the first. but he was
borne down, by the prosecutions. He
was convicted by unanimous vote
of the jury. and the judge sentenced
him to be hanged. There was not
shred Of doubt in the minds of the
public concerning Lees guilt In the
courtroom when sentence of death
was pronounced Lee made. a very sem
sational statement Looking toward
the judge. ne said in solemn tones:
"You have sentenced an innocent
man." And then. looking upward. he
added: 'But know that my God viii
protect me and will prevent this sem
tence from being carried out !"
In the cell Lee was always conf
dent He said that he was protected
by God. and that the authorities could
not take his life. This singular be-
havior of the prisoner. simply pro-
duced the impression upon the minds
of the public that Lee had become
crazed by much mental suffering. The
day OF execution came. Lee still me-
tanned his confidence. Even on
the soaffold he said:: God will save
mo yet " The rope was then put around
his neck, and the black cap, adjusted. !.
Lees last,words as the rope was put
around his neckswere, .sThis sentence
can not be carried out" When the
trap fell the rope broke. This made
great impression upon those present
A second rope WINS sent for, Lee pro-
testing that it was useless to try to hang
him. He was again placed upon the
trap. It fell and, the, second rope
broke. At this the officials became
very much demoralized and took Lee
back to his,cen. When the story al
this bungling attempt to- hang this
prisoner reached the public next morn
ing great roar of indignation went
up. Letters poured in upon the papers
saving that the man had been pun
ished enough, and under the influence
of this public opinion, the Home Secre-
tary committed his sentence to impris-
onment for life.
The strangest part of this story is to
come. Several weeks ago the ancient
woman servant employed in the house
where the murder. was. committed be-
came ill, and SOON it was found that
she could not recover Upon hsr
death-bed she confessed to having conn
mitted the murder herself. Her story
was- SO completes, so, eircumstantial,
and substantiated by her giving places
where articles connected with the muir
denwere concealed that its truth could
not be questioned. The Home Secre-
tary at once gave orders to have Lee
released with q full pardon. But it
has been done in quiet and secret
way to prevent a. knowledge Of the
case getting to the public The same
official has also granted to Lee q PEN
sion Of thirty shillings week during
his life in compensation for the wrong
done to him by his. unjust trial and inn
Observation-Disclosures Cor. N. r
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